Berbine derivatives



United States Patent 3,022,309 BERHINE DERIVATIVES Georges Muller, Nogent-sur-Marue, France, assignor to Les Laboratoires Francais de Chimiotherapie, Paris, France, a corporation of France No Drawing. Filed May 4, 1960, Ser. No. 26,721 Claims priority, application France May 5, 1959 14 Claims. (Cl. 260-287) The invention relates to novel tetracyclic alkaloids and, more particularly, relates to berbine derivatives of the general Formula X:

wherein R to R are radicals selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy and aralkoxy; R R and R are radicals selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or lower alkyl; R, is a radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having one to eighteen carbon atoms of the aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic series; and R is a radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl and aralkyl; intermediates useful in preparing compound X and processes for the production of these compounds.

These compounds possess interesting pharmacodynamic properties and are hypotensors.

An object of the present invention is to obtain a berbine derivative having the structural formula:

4 Ilia H R90 0 o 0 R1 wherein R to R are radicals selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy and aralkoxy; R R and R are radicals selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or lower alkyl; R is a radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having one to eighteen carbon atoms of the aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic series; and R is a radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl and aralkyl.

Another object of the present invention is to obtain 2,3,l1oc trimethoxy 10B (3',4',5 trimethoxybenzoyloxy)-12B-carbomethoxy-8aa, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12aahexahydro-l ifi-berbine, especially in the form of the levo-rotatory (chloroform) product having a melting point of 191 C. and a specific rotation [a] =1O4 (c=0.5% in chloroform).

A still further object is the development of a process for the production of the berbine derivatives of compound X.

A further object of the invention is to obtain intermediates useful in producing 2,3-11a-trimethoxy-10fi- (3,4',5 trimethoxybenzoyloxy) 12B carbomethoxy- 821cc, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12aot-hexahydro-14,8-berbine such as: (a) 2,3,11oe trimethoxy 10,3 acetoxy 12B carbomethoxy-8aa, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12aa-hexahydro-7-14, 14-

14a-diseco-7-dehydro-berbine-14-oic acid,

(b) 2,3,110L trimethoxy 1018 acetoxy 12p carbomethoxy-8au, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12au-hexahydro-7-14, 14- 14a-diseco-berbine-14-oic acid,

(c) 2,3,11a trimethoxy 10B acetoxy 1213 carbomethoxy-14-oxo-8aa, 9, 10, 11, 12, 12aa-hexahydro- 14-14a-seco-berbine,

(d) 2,3,11a trimethoxy 1018 acetoxy 12,3 carboe wherein R to R are radicals selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogen, hydroxyl, lower alkyl, lower alkoxy and aralkoxy; R R and R are radicals selected from the group consisting of hydrogen or lower alkyl; R; is a radical selected from the group consisting of hydrogen and the acyl radical of a hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having one to eighteen carbon atoms of the aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic series; and R is a radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl, aryl 0 and aralkyl; are prepared starting from a cyclic amine having the Formula I:

Patented Feb. .20, 1962 3 phenyl) ethylamine, ,3 (3 benzyloxyphenyl) ethylarnine, homovanillylamine or ,8 (3 methoxy 4 hydroxy-phenyl)-ethylamine, etc.

This cyclic amine I is condensed with a cyclic aldehyde of the Formula H:

riooo H0 l/ 11 R5000 -0 o 0 OH:

(1) Rs II III This Schifis base III is reduced to give a secondary amine of Formula IV:

HO O O R00 0 C O C O CH;

6 R8 IV This secondary amine IV is then cyclized into a lactam of Formula V:

i] t at OOOOH;

The lactam V is then cyclized into a tetracyclic compound of the Formula VI:

6R3 V VI The double bond in the 13(14) position is then reduced selectively to give a 14B-berbine derivative of the Formula VIII which is separated from its Mix-isomer which may form.

()RB VIII The double bond in the 13( 14) position can optionally be reduced selectively to give a Mot-berbine derivative of the Formula VII:

(5R9 VII Partial saponification of the 14p-berbine derivative VIII results in a compound with a free hydroxyl group in the 10B-position, of the Formula IX:

Ilia u Esterification of this last compound IX by an esterifying derivative of an aliphatic, aromatic or arylaliphatic hydrocarbon carboxylic acid having from one to eighteen carbon atoms results in the desired berbine derivative of Formula X.

In the above formulas the customary structural formula designations are used. The solid bond attached to unsaturated ring carbon atoms denotes a fi-attachrnent and the dotted line bond denotes an u-attachment.

In carrying out the above reactions, it is preferable to proceed according to the following: i

(a) The condensation of the cyclic amine I with the cyclic aldehyde II takes place in an aqueous solution of a water-miscible inert organic solvent such as dimethylformamide,

(b) The reduction of the Schiifs base III is effected with the aid of an alkali metal borohydride in the cold,

(c) The subsequent cyclization of the reduced product IV takes place under the effect of heating to give the lactam V,

(d) The cyclization of the lactam V is effected by means of phosphorus oxychloride,

(e) The selective reduction of the tetracyclic compound VI is effected by the action of zinc in a perchloric acid solution,

(1) The separation of compound VIII from its 140:- isomer VII is effected by virtue of the ditference in the solubilities of these two compounds in acetone,

(g) The partial saponification of the reduced 14 3- compound VIII is efiected by means of an alkali metal borohydride,

(h) The final esterification is brought about by a carboxylic acid chloride in the presence of pyridine.

This final esterification may be performed with an acid chloride of any hydrocarbon carboxylic acids having from one to eighteen carbon atoms of the aliphatic, aromatic or araliphatic series such as formic acid, acetic acid, pivalic acid, benzoic acid, 3,4,5-trimethoXy-benzoic acid, 3,4,5-trimethoxy-cinnamic acid, naphthoic acid, etc.

The following example of the process illustrates the invention without, however, limiting it. It describes the preparation of one of the novel derivatives of berbine, 2,3,110: trimethoxy-lOfl-[3',4,5'-trimethoxybenzoyloxy]- 12B carbomethoxy 8aa,9,10,11,12,12aa-hexahydro-14B- berbine, which is produced by the process of the invention. It is readily understood that, other berbine derivatives of the structural Formula X can be produced by varying the starting cyclic amine I, the starting cyclic aldehyde II or the esterifying acid (R 7 The melting points are instantaneous melting points, determined on a Kofier block. The temperatures are indicated in degrees centigrade.

EXAMPLE Preparation of 2,3,1Im-trimeth'Oxy-IOB- [3,4',5'-triinethoxy benzoyloxy] IZB-carbomethoxy 8aa,9,10,11, 12,12aot hexahydro 14/8 berbine, X, wherein R1=R4=R5=R6=H, RZ=R3=,OCH3, R8=R9=CH3 and R =trimethxybenz0yl Step a.2,3,11a trimethoxy 10,8-acetoxy-l2/3-carbomethoxy 8aoc,9,10,1l,l2,12aoz hexahydro 7-14,14-14adiseco-7(8) dehydro-berbine-l4-oic acid (III, wherein R =R =R =R =H, R =R =OCH R =R =CH 5.6 gm. of dextro-rotatory (pyridine) l s-carboxymethyl- 2/3 carbomethoxy 3ot-methoxy-4fi-acetoxy-6fi-formylcyclohexane obtained according to the copending, commonly-assigned United States patent application, Serial No. 727,780, filed April 11, 1958, now US. Patent No. 2,971,978, are mixed with 11.2 cc. of water and 2.8 cc. of dimethylformamide. 5.6 cc. of triethylamine, then a solution of 3.1 gm of homoveratrylamine in 4.6 cc. of dimethylformamide and 4.6 cc. of Water are added dropwise to the mixture, cooled to 5 C. The mixture is agitated at --5 C. for twenty minutes. The resulting solution of the Schilfs base, 2,3,11a-trimethoXy-B- acetoxy 12,8 carbomethoxy 8aot,9,lO,l1,12,12aa-hexahydro 7 14,14,14a diseco-7(8)-rlehydro-berbine-14-oic acid is directly used in the next stage of the synthesis.

Step b.2,3,1lot trimethoxy 10p acetoxy-lZfl-carbomethoxy 8aa,9,l0,1l,12,12aa hexahydro 7-14,14-14adiseco-berbine-14-oic acid (IV, wherein 1= 4= 5= G= 2= 3= '3 Ra= 9= 3) 1.8 gm of potassium borohydride are added to a solu- 6 tion of the Schiffs base, obtained in the preceding step by starting with 3.1 gm of homoveratrylamine, and the solution is cooled to 5 C. After an agitation of twenty minutes, the cooling is interrupted for a half an hour, then cooled again to +5 C. The 2,3,1lot-trimethoxy- 1013 acetoxy 12,8 carbomethoxy 8aa,9,10,1l,l2,12aahexahydro-7-l4,14-14a-diseco-berbine-14-oic acid formed thereby was used directly in the next step of the synthesis without being-isolated from the medium of its preparation.

Step c.-2,3,11ot trimethoxy 10,8 acetoxy-lZfl-carbomethoxy 14-oxo-8aa,9,10,11,12,12ae-hexahydro-14-14aseco-berbine (V, wherein To the secondary amine in solution, as obtained in the preceding step, are added 7.5 cc. of acetic acid until neutral and several drops of ether to destroy the foam. At a pH of 6, solidification of the solution takes place 12 cc. of water are added and the mixture is heated while agitating to drive off the ether, the precipitate dissolves. The mixture is heated to C. and maintained at this temperature for an hour and a half. The solution is cooled and is poured into 75 cc. of iced water. It is extracted with methylene chloride and the extract is washed successively with ammonia. with water, with hydrochloric acid and again with water, dried over magnesium sulfate and distilled to dryness. 9 gm (theoretical yield being 8 gm) of the raw 2,3,11tx-trimethoxy-lOfi-acetoxy-12,8-carbomethoxy 14-ox0-8aa,9,10,11,12,12aa-hexahydro-14-14aseco-berbine usable without any purification for the next stage of the synthesis is obtained.

9 gm. of the raw lactam produced by the preceding step are dissolved in 70 cc. of phosphoru oxychloride and the solution is refluxed for one and one half hours. After concentration in vacuo to about 30 cc., it is cooled to -5 C, and, under agitation, cc. of iced acetone, 100 gm. of finely crushed ice, are added, then very slowly and while cooling, 250 cc. of 5N ammonia solution are added. The 2,3,ot trimethoxy-lOB-acetoxy-IZB-carbomethoxy-8aa,9,10,11,12,l2atx-hexahydro-l3(14)-dehydroberbine begins to crystallize, and an additional 50 cc. of ION ammonia solution are added to complete the precipitation. The mixture is vacuum filtered. The filter cake is Washed with water, dried and yields a first fraction of 4.5 gm. of the compound having a melting point of C. The mother liquor furnishes, by extraction with methylene chloride, an additional 1.4 gm. of raw product which are taken up in a mixture of methylene chloride and methanol to obtain 0.35 gm; of the product melting at 183.5 C. (that is a total of 4.85 gm., which is 60% of theoretical yield from the beginning of the syntheisis). The compound is crystallized by dissolution in methylene chloride. The solution is filtered, concentrated and the compound is reprecipitated by the addition of methanol.

After vacuum. filtration, the filter cake is washed with methanol and dried at 75 C. 2,3,llot-t1'ift16th0XY-1OB- acetoxy 12fi-'carbomethoxy-8aa,9,10,11,l2,12aa-hexahydro-l3(14)-dehydro-berbine having a melting point of 186 C. and a specific rotation [a] =+27 (c=0.5% in pyridine), is soluble in chloroform and methylene chloride, slightly soluble in methyl and ethyl and insoluble in water.

Analysis.--C H O N; molecular weight=445. Calculated: C, 64.70%; H, 7.01%; N, 3.14%. Found: C, 64.9%; H, 7.0%; N, 3.3%.

Step e.2,3,11 x trimethoxy 10/8-acetoxy-12fi-carbomethoxy 8aot,9,l0,11,l2,l2aot hexahydro 14oz berbine wherein R1=R4=R5=R6=H, R2=R3=OCH3, R8=R9=CH3).

200 mgm. of the tetracyclic compound obtained in step d are dissolved in 6 cc. of methanol and 1.2 cc. of 2N hydrochloric acid, potassium borohydride is added in small portions While cooling until the pH reaches 9, then 25 cc. of Water are introduced. 2,3,l1a-trimethoxy-10B acetoxy .l2B-carbomethoxy-8aa,9,10,11,l2,12aa-hexahydro-14a-berbine crystallizes out and the mixture is vacuum filtered. The filter cake is washed and dried at 100 C. 180 mgm. (that is 90% of theory) of the raw product having a melting point of 229 C. is obtained. It is dissolved in 4 cc. of methylene chloride. The solution is filtered and concentrated and the product is precipitated by the addition of methanol. After vacuum filtering, Washing with methanol and drying, 150 mgm. of the product, having a melting point of 229 C. and a specific rotation [a] =145 (c=0.5% in pyridine) are obtained. It is soluble in chloroform and methylene chloride, slightly soluble in methyl and ethyl alcohol and insoluble in water.

AIZGlySiS.-C 4H NO7; molecular weight=447.51. Calculated: C, 64.41%; H,'7.43%; O, 25.03%; N, 3.13%. Found: C, 64.5%; H, 7.2%; O, 25.1%; N, 3.3.

Step f.2,3,l1a trimethoxy-10(3-acetoxy-12fi-carbomethoxy 8aa,9,lO,ll,l2,l2aa hexahydro 14p berbine R1:R4=R5:R5:H, R2=R3=OCH3, R8=R9= CH 4.75 gm. of the tetracyclic compound obtained in step d, 50 cc, of acetone, 0.5 cc. of a saturated solution of ferric chloride, and 50 cc. 2N perchloric acid are heated to reflux, and under agitation, 12.5 gm. of powdered Zinc are introduced over a period of 15 minutes. The heating is maintained for a further half an hour. The acetone is then decanted, 150 cc. water are added thereto and the mixture extracted with methylene chloride. The extracts are combined and Washed with water and With N ammonia, dried, and then distilled to dryness. A residue of 2.9 gm. is obtained which is dissolved in acetone and allowed to stand over night in a refrigerator. An abundant solid mass of crystals is produced. The mixture is vacuum filtered. The precipitate is washed with a mixture of methanol and ether (1:3) and dried. The first fraction of 2,3 1 la-trimethoxyl OB-acetoxyl Zfl-carbomethoxy-Sa 9,10,11,12,l2aa-hexahydro 14p berbine (VIII) melting point=l73 C., weighs 1.24 gm. The mother liquor which is distilled to dryness furnishes a residue, which, treated like the first fraction, produces 0.14 gm. of the product melting at 170 C. The first two fractions are purified by recrystallization from acetone and a pure product having a melting point of 182 C. and a specific rotation [a] =-89 (c=0.5% in chloroform) is obtained. It is soluble in acetone and chloroform, slightly soluble in methanol, insoluble in water and almost insoluble in ether.

Analysis.C H NO-;; molecular weight=447.51. Calculated: C, 64.41%; H,7.43%; N, 3.13%. Found: C, 64.4%; H, 7.2%; N, 3.1%.

Step g.2,3,11a trimethoxy-105-hydroxy-125-carbomethoxy-8aa,9,10,11,12,12aa-hexahydro-14fi-berbine (IX, wherein R1=R4=R5=RG=IL R2=R3=OCH3, R3R9= CH To 100 mgm. of the l4B-isomer compound obtained in the previous step, in 4 cc. of methanol, are added 40 mgm. of sodium borohydride and the mixture is heated to reflux for 2 hours. The reaction solution, after cooling,is concentrated to 0.5 cc. 2.5 cc. of water are added to the concentrated solution and crystallization is initiated by scratching. The mixture is iced and vacuum filtered, and the filter cake is dried at 75 C. 83 mgm. of 2,3,11a trimethoxy 10,8 hydroxy 12,6 carbomethoxy-aa,9,10,11,2,2aa hexahydro-14fi-berbine having a melting point of 11213 C. and again at 165 C. is obtained. The product is taken up in anhydrous ether, heated to reflux, filtered, concentrated and vacuum filtered to recover, after drying, 70 mgm. of product, having a melting point of 182 C., which is obtained in the form of small colorless rods. It is soluble in chloroform, slight- 1y soluble in methanol and ether and insoluble in water.

Step h.2,3,11u trimethoxy 10;3(3',4',5' trimethoxy benzoyloxy) 125 carbomethoxy 8aa,9,10,ll,l2, 12am hexahydro 14B berbinc (X, wherein H, R =R =OCH R =R =CH K -trimethoxy benzoyl).

100 mgm. of the lOfi-hydroxy compound obtained in the previous step, 1 cc. of pyridine and 300 mgm. of 3,4,5-trimethoxy-benzoyl chloride are mixed together and heated in an atmosphere of nitrogen for 16 hours at 75 C. After cooling and adding 1 cc. of water, the mixture is heated again for minutes at 50 C., and then extracted with methylene chloride. The extracts are washed with sulfuric acid, water, ammonia and again with water. The extract solution is dried, treated with animal charcoal and distilled to dryness. The residue is taken up in ether, the mixture is filtered, the filtrate is concentrated, and 2,3,11a .trirnethoxy 1013 (3,4,5' trimethoxy benzoyloxy) 12B carbomethoxy 8aa,9,10,1l,12,12a x hexahydro-14,8-berbine is separated by vacuum filtration. 55 mgm. (that is 42% of theory) of the product having a melting point of 189 C. is obtained. Recrystallization from ether furnishes a product melting at 191 C. and having a specific rotation [a]- =104 C. (c: 0.5% in chloroform.) It is soluble in chloroform, slightly soluble in ether and insoluble in water.

Analysis.-C H O N; molecular weight =599. Calculated: C, 64.09%; H, 6.89%; N, 2.34%. Found: C, 64.3%; H, 6.8%; N, 2.6.

2,3,11a trimethoxy 105 (3',4',5' trimethoxy benzoyloxy) 12,8 carbomethoxy 8ae,9,10,l1,12,12aa hexahydro-14B-herbine is endowed with remarkable physiological properties. Especially, it exhibits a hypotensive activity.

It is well understood that the invention is not limited to the working examples given above. Any other of the indicated cyclic amines I. or cyclic aldehydes II can be used. Also step h can be performed with any of the indicated acid chlorides. It is also possible to vary the temperature, the order of introduction of certain reagents or to use other solvents without departing from the scope of the invention. The invention is to be construed by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Berbine derivatives of the formula:

3. 2-,3,1la trimethoxy 10,8 acetoxy 12B carbomethoxy 8a0t,9,l0,11,12,12a0t hexahydro 14/3 berbine. v

4. 2,3,l1a trimethoxy 10B hydroxy 125 carbomethoxy 8aix,9,10,11,12,12a hexahydro 14,8 berbine.

5. 2,3,11a trirnethoxy 10/3 acetoxy 12B carbomethoxy 8aa,9,l0,11,12,12aa hexahydro 7 14,14- 14a-diseco-7(8)-dehydro-berbine-14-oic acid.

6. 2,3,11u trimethoxy 10,6 acetoxy 1218 carbomethoxy 8aa,9,l0,l1,12,12aa hexahydro 7 14, 14 14a-diseco-berine-4-oic acid.

7. 2,3,11a trimethoxy 10B acetoXy 12B 7 carbornethoxy 14 oxo 8aa,9,10,l1,12,l2aa hexahydro 14-l4a-seco-berbine. I I

8. 2,3,l1a trimethoxy 10,8 acetoxy 12B carbomethoxy 8aa,9,10,11,l2,12aa hexahydro 13 dehydro berbine. a g i 9. 2,3,11u trimethoxy 10B 'acetoxy 125 ,-ca:rbomethoxy 8aot,9,10,1l,12,12aa hexahydro-Ma-berbine.

10. The process of producing berbine deriv atives of the structural formula: i V

4 K- u I BT21 i 12 RnO 0 CW0 R where R R R R R and R have the previously assigned values, with a cyclic aldehyde having the structural formula:

HOOC CHO RnOOC O C O OH where R and R have the previously assigned values, in

. 1g t the presence of a tertiary organic base, reducing the resulting Schilfs base having the structural formula:

where R R R R R R R and R have the previous assigned values with an alkali metal borohydride, heating the resulting secondary amine having the structural formula:

where R R R R R R R and R have the previous assigned values at a temperature of about C., refluxing the resulting lactam having the structural formula:

R3 I R6 R2 N R OOC- -OCOCH where R], R2, R3, R4, R5, R5, R8 and R9 have the previous assigned values with phosphorus oxychloride and 11 12 alkalinizing with ammonia, reducing the resulting tetraponifies the acetic acid, esterifying the resulting 10 3- cyclic compound havingthe structural formula: hydroxy derivative having the structural formula:

7R4 R R4 R5 7 H" R9000 -0H (mi 6R8 'th an esterifying derivative of an acid selected from Where R R R R R R R and R have the prevtt ous assigned values by the action of zinc in the presence h m p cons,lsnvng of lower alkaflolc f i of perchloric acid and ferric chloride, separating the m?thoxybenzolc i i i i and naphtholc h H S-isomer by fractional crystallization, saponifying the aclds and recovering sald. berbme derivatives 3 resulting 14fl-isomer having the structural formula: 99 9 clalln 10 Wherem the m of I sald cycllc amine wlth sald cycllc aldehyde takes place R4 R5 in aqueous dimethylformamide. I i

12. The process of claim 10 wherein the step of separating said 14,8-isomer from its l4a-isomer is efiected by virtue of the difference in the solubilities of these two compounds in acetone.

13. The process of claim 10 wherein the step of saponifying said 14,8-isomer is effected by means of an alkali metal borohydride.

14. The process of claim 10 wherein the step of esterifying is brought about by an acid chloride in the presence of pyridine.

6B8 References Cited in the file of this patent where R R R R R R R and R have the previ- Velluz: Annals Pharm. Francais, vol. 17 (1958),-

ous assigned values with a saponifying agent which sapages 15-26.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 3,,O22,309 February 20, 1962 Georges Muller It is hereby certified that error appears in the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column l lines 42 to 54 and column 2, lines 32 to 44 the formula, each occurrence, should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent:

column 2, line 4, for "2,3lla" read 2,3 llo;- column 5 l ne 68, for "-l4,14,l4a-" read l4,l4-l4a column 6 line 18, after "place" insert a comma; line 18, for "2,3,cw" read 2,3,lla line 55 for "syntheisis" read synthes1s column 7, line 68 for "oxya 9 lO,,ll 2,2aa" read oxy 3a ,9,10, 11,12 12aa--- column 9 line 12 for ber1ne4-o1c" read berbineI4-o1'c line l9 for 'acetoxy 12B" read -acetox y-12[5- column 11 lines 3 to 15, the formula should appear as shown below instead of as 1n the patent:

column 11, line 16, for "Where" read where Signed and sealed this 31st day of July 1962a ISEAL) \ttest:

IRNEST W. SWIDER DAVID 'i. [.AHH

ttestinn firphm 

1. BERBINE DERIVATIVES OF THE FORMULA: 